^ ' Hreresis est crimen qnod nee coufessio ceLit.'
460 AN ExrosiTioN', WITH NOTES, [Jas. v. 1G.
Paul nrgeth, 1 Cor. v. G, 'A little leaven leavcneth the whole \um\) ;' and Heb. xii. 15, ' Lest many be ilefiled,' &c. In which places he doth not mean so mnch the contagion of their ill example, as the taint of reproach, and the gnilt of the outward scandal, by which the house and body of Christ was made infamous.
2. Private confession to men. And so — (1.) To a wronged neigh- bour, wliicli is called a turning to him again after offence given, Luke xvii. 4, and prescribed by our Saviour, Mat. v. 24, ' Leave thy gift before the altar, and be first reconciled to thy brother.' God will ac- cept no service or worship at our hands till we have confessed the wrong done to others. So here, confess your faults one to another, it may be referred to injuries. In contentions there are offences on both sides, and every one will stiffly defend his own cause, &c. (2.) To those to whom we have consented in sinning, as in adultery, theft, &c. We must confess and pray for each other. Dives in hell would not have his brethren come ' to that place of torment,' Luke xvi. 28. It is but a necessary charity to invite them that have shared with us in sin to a fellowship in repentance. (3.) To a godly minister or wise Christian under deep wounds of conscience. It is but folly to hide our sores till they be incurable. When we have disburdened our- selves into the bosom of a godly friend, conscience findeth a great deal of ease. Certainly they are then more capable to give us advice, and can the better apply the lielp of their counsel and prayers to our ])ar- ticular case, and are thereby moved to the more pity and commis- eration ; as beggars, to move the more, will not only represent their general want, but uncover their sores. Verily it is a fault in Chris- tians not to disclose themselves and be more open with their spiritual friends, when they are not able to extricate themselves out of their doubts and troubles. You may do it to any godly Christians, but especially to ministers, who are solemnly intrusted with the power of the keys, and may help you to apply the comforts of the word when you cannot yourselves. (4.) When in some special cases God's glory is concerned ; as when some eminent judgment seizeth upon us be- cause of a foregoing provocation, which provocation is suflicicntly evi- denced to us in gripes of conscience, it is good to make it know^i for God's glory. Thus David, when stung in conscience, and smitten with a sudden conviction, said, 2 Sam. xii. 13, ' I confess I have sinned.' So when Achan was marked by lot, Joshua advisetli him, Josh. vii. 19, * My son, confess, and give glory to God.' So when divine revenge pursueth us till we are brought to some fearful end and punishment, it is good to be oj)en in acknowledging our sin, that God's justice may be the more visibly cleared ; for hereby God receiveth a great deal of glory, and men a wonderful confirmation and experience of the care and justice of i)rovidence.
And pray for one another. — From thence note, that it is the duty of Christians to relieve one another by their prayers. You shall see John, in the close of his e])istle, giveth the same charge: 1 John V. IG, ' If any man see his brother sin a sin whicli is not unto death, he shall ask, and lie shall give him life for him that sinneth not unto death ; ' that is, God shall pardon him, and by that means free him from everlasting death. Because i)articulars affect us more than gene-
JaS. V. 16.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 461
ral considerations, let me tell you — (1.) Yon must pray for the whole community of saints, every member of Christ's ])ody ; not only our familiars, but those with whom we are not acquainted. So Eph. vi. 18, ' Make supplication for all saints.' This is indeed the church's treasury, the common stock of supplications. Paul prayeth for them that had never seen his face : Col. ii. 1,2,' God knoweth what con- flict I have for you, and for many that have not seen my face in the flesh.' A Christian is a rich merchant, who hath his factors in divers countries, some in all places of the world, that deal for him at the throne of grace ; and by this means the members of Christ's body have a communion one with another, though at a distance. (2.) It is our duty to pray for those especially to whom we are more nearly related ; as JPaul, Rom. ix. 3, for his own countrymen. So for our kindred, that they may be converted, and be to us, as Onesimus to Philemon, dear ' in the flesh, and in the Lord,' Philem. 16. So for the same par- ticular society and assembly of the faithful in which we are engaged. So the minister for his people, and the people one for another : Eph. iii. 12, ' For this cause I bow my knees,' &c. Certainly we do not improve this interest so much as we should do. (3.) More especially yet for magistrates and officers of the church. For magistrates : 1 Tim. ii. 1,2,' For all in authority,' &c. This is the best tribute you can pay them. So for ministers, the weightiness of their employ- ment calleth for this help from you. In praying for them you pray for yourselves. If the cow hath a full dug, it is the benefit of the owner. With what passionateness doth the apostle Paul call for the prayers of the people ! Rom. xv. "SO, ' For the Lord Christ's sake, for the love of the Spirit, strive together with me in your prayers.' Oh ! do not let us stand alone, and strive alone, Vce soli. Single prayers are like the single hairs of Samson ; but the prayers of the congre- gation like the whole bush. Therefore you should, in Tertullian's phrase, quasi inanu facta, with a holy conspiracy besiege heaven, and force out a blessing for your pastors. (4.) The weak must pray for the strong, and the strong for the weak. There is none but should improve his interest. When there is much work to do, you give your children their parts ; as those busy idolaters, Jer. vii. 18, ' The chil- dren gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead the dough,' &c. ; all bore a part in the service. So in the family of Christ. None can be exempted : ' The head cannot say to the feet, I have no need of you,' &c., 1 Cor. xii. 21, 22. God delighteth to oblige us to each other in the body of Christ, and therefore will not bless you without the mutual mediation and intercession of one an- other's prayers ; for this is the true intercession of saints. And so, in a sense, the living saints may be called mediators of intercession. But chiefly the strong, and those that stand, are to pray for them that are fallen ; for that is the intent of this place. Oh ! then, that we would regard this neglected duty. Not to pray for others is uncharitableness ; not to expect it from others is pride. Do not stand alone ; two, yea, many, are better than one. Joint striving mutually for the good of each other maketh the work prosper. Especially, brethren, pray for us, for us in the ministry. Our labours are great, our corruptions are strong, our temptations and snares are many, possibly the more for your sakes ;